Low pressure delivery system and method for delivering a solid and liquid mixture into a target site for medical treatment

ABSTRACT

A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula. A plurality of elements are disposed adjacent to one another in the delivery cannula with void spaces defined between the elements. A fluent material, capable of setting to a hardened condition, is disposed within at least a portion of the void space in the delivery cannula. A push rod is movably disposed within the delivery cannula to apply a force to move the elements through the delivery cannula and into the interior of the vertebral body. Upon application of the force, the elements simultaneously carry the fluent material through the delivery cannula and into vertebral body to delivery the fluent material at a low pressure. The fluent material sets to the hardened condition to secure the elements and form the implant.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/762,779, filed on Jan. 27, 2006, which is herebyincorporated by reference, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/808,681, filed on May 26, 2006, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a system and a method for deliveringelements and a fluent material for implantation into bone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Systems are well known in the art for delivering materials such as bonecement to a target site for medical treatment. One particular use ofthese types of systems is to treat compression fractures caused bytrauma, metastasis, or osteoporosis. A compression fracture occurs whena normal vertebral body of a spine has collapsed or compressed from itsoriginal anatomical size. Typically, these vertebrae fail at an anteriorcortical wall causing a wedge shaped collapse of the vertebra. Fracturescan be painful for the patient typically causing a reduced quality oflife. Treatments to repair these fractures are performed to reinforcethe fractured bone, alleviate associated pain, and to prevent furthervertebral collapse.

One method of treating compression fractures, called balloon assistedvertebroplasty, typically uses fluoroscopy to establish a percutaneouspassage in the bone or vertebral body to be treated. This is followed bythe insertion of an inflatable balloon-like device into the passage inthe vertebral body. Liquids, typically called contrast media, are usedto inflate the balloon-like device to compact the cancellous bone aboutthe balloon and/or bone marrow toward the inner cortical wall of thevertebral body, thereby resulting in an enlargement of the passagecreating a cavity. The balloon-like device is then deflated and removedfrom the vertebral cavity, leaving behind a cavity. A biocompatiblefilling material, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement isthen delivered while in its flowable form into the cavity. This deliveryis performed by using pressure type devices. The filling material isthen allowed to set to a hardened condition to provide internalstructural support to the bone.

Balloon-like devices require exertion of pressure for expansion of theballoon and/or insertion of flowable materials into the balloon. Theseballoon-like devices can require high inflation pressures, sometimes ashigh as 400 psi., in order to obtain the desired cavity size orcompaction. These balloon-like devices have been known to fail duringinflation due to the high inflation pressures, thin balloon membranesrequired to fit into the percutaneous passage, and sharp tools or bonystructures piercing the membranes. Other mechanical devices have beensuggested in order to tamp the bone and create a cavity for subsequentfilling with bone cement. In today's art, filling the cavity created bya balloon or tamping device requires applying a pressure to the flowablematerial. Syringe like devices are typically used to create the pressureto flow the material from a chamber and down a channel into the bone.Once the flowable materials leave the delivery system, they flow towardlower pressure regions through the path of least resistance until thepressure has neutralized with its surroundings. This action occurs in anuncontrollable manner where the user cannot influence the flowablematerial. In other words, flow of the material and the path that thematerial takes outside of the delivery system cannot be influenced bythe practitioner. These flowable materials have been know to flow alongfracture lines, into vascular structure as well as into other cracks,holes or spaces in the bone that may or may not have been known to thepractitioner.

Another procedure that relies on delivering bone cement under pressureto treat compression fractures is called vertebroplasty. This method ofstabilizing bone follows very much the balloon assisted vertebroplastyprocedure described above, except vertebroplasty does not utilizeballoons or tools to create a cavity prior to the injection of bonecement. Vertebroplasty is typically performed under fluoroscopicguidance and includes the placement of a cannula into the vertebral bodyto provide a pathway for the bone cement to enter the vertebral body.

During vertebroplasty, low bone cement viscosity and high injectionpressures tend to disperse the bone cement throughout the vertebralbody. By utilizing injection pressure, the bone cement takes the path ofleast resistance, which in some instances can lead to undesirableleaking or extravasations outside of the vertebral body.

It is known in the medical community that instances of leaking outsideof the vertebral body occur with the above described procedures. For themost part, these leaks have not caused severe symptoms or complicationsrequiring additional medical intervention. Nevertheless, the followingcomplications have been associated with leaks outside of the vertebralbody: epidural hematoma; intrusion into the spinal canal with permanentparalysis, radiculopathy, paresthesias or loss of motor function;pulmonary embolism; pneumothorax; and death.

Another limitation of the current pressure delivery system is thedifficulty of visualizing the flowable materials using a fluoroscope.Fluoroscopes are traditionally used by the medical practitioner in orderto identify the bony structure, the radiopaque instruments used and theradiopaque flowable materials injected as described above. As mentionedearlier, the practitioner cannot influence the flow of the materials.Once the materials have left the delivery system, these materials canflow through thin cracks or small crevices in a manner where thepractitioner cannot see the image of this thin flow on the fluoroscope.As one can appreciate, the inability to see thin flow fronts can misleadthe practitioner into applying more pressure to deliver more flowablematerials, even when the thin flow fronts are leaking outside thevertebral body and into undesirable locations. An example of a fillingmaterial for use in vertebroplasty to overcome these problems can befound in U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,615 to Preissman. Preissman discloses anenhanced visibility composition of a flowable material with radiopaqueparticles up to 350 (micron) and tracer elements having a size between570 (micron) and 2200 (micron) for improving the visualization withmedical imaging. Preissman, however, did not consider the problem whenthin flow fronts exist and the disclosed tracers are separated from theflow when the bony structure restrains the tracers, effectivelyfiltering them, as the flow continues down thin sections.

Recently, in an attempt to overcome these problems, systems have beendeveloped to treat compression fractures by delivering structuralelements to distract tissue surfaces forming the collapsed vertebralbody. A shortcoming of these systems is the lack of completestabilization of the bony structure and the lack of a permanent fixationof the implant M to the bone. It is believed that motion of a bonystructure of cancellous bone within the vertebral body may result inpain to the patient. Thus, it is desirable to stabilize the cancellousbone to prevent this motion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,998 to Johnson et al. discloses a tissue distractiondevice for treating compression fractures by inserting a plurality ofwafers into a vertebral body to form a wafer stack. Once the wafer stackis formed, the bone cement can be delivered into the vertebral bodyaround the wafer stack to lock the wafers together and form a stableimplant M. The wafer stack provides support on upper and lower sides ofthe vertebral body, but may not provide uniform support on all sides.Also, Johnson et al. does not disclose how much bone cement is deliveredand/or whether enough is delivered to stabilize the bony structure ofcancellous bone within the vertebral body. Furthermore, this deliveryoccurs through relatively little control of the flow of pressurized bonecement during delivery, much like as described above.

Another prior art system is described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0278023 to Zwirkoski. In this system, a pluralityof segments, flexibly connected to one another, are inserted into avertebral body to treat a compression fracture. The system includes anapplicator having a rotary driver, such as an auger or a cog wheel, fortransporting the plurality of flexibly connected segments through acannula and into the vertebral body. Zwirkoski suggests passage offluent materials such as bone cement into the vertebral body concurrentwith the segments. However, Zwirkoski fails to disclose how to performthis concurrent delivery. Moreover, Zwirkoski does not disclose how muchbone cement is delivered and/or whether enough is delivered to stabilizethe bony structure of cancellous bone within the vertebral body.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a system that is capable ofsimultaneously delivering structural elements and fluent material, e.g.,delivering a mixture of elements and fluent material, to a vertebralbody for medical treatment such that the implant materials are deliveredin a controlled manner with a low fluent pressure to reduce leaking.There is also a need for a system that is capable of adjusting relativeamounts of elements and fluent material in the mixture delivered tocustomize a particular procedure based on a patient's anatomy andstructural requirements of the final implant M to suitably stabilize thevertebral body. There is also a need to improve the visualization duringimplantation by increasing the effective radio-opacity of the implant bypreventing thin flow fronts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for forming an implant tostabilize a vertebral body having an interior of cancellous bone. Thesystem comprises a delivery cannula defining a delivery passage forproviding access to the interior of the vertebral body. A plurality ofelements are disposed adjacent to one another in the delivery passage ofthe delivery cannula. A void space is defined between the adjacentelements. The plurality of elements include a first element adjacent toa second element. A fluent material, capable of setting to a hardenedcondition, is disposed within at least a portion of the void space inthe delivery passage. A push rod is movably disposed within the deliverypassage of the delivery cannula to apply a force to the first elementand transfer the force through the first element to the second elementto move the elements through the delivery passage and into the interiorof the vertebral body. The elements simultaneously carry the fluentmaterial therewith through the delivery passage and into the interior ofthe vertebral body upon application of the force to the first element.The fluent material sets to the hardened condition to lock the elementsto one another and form the implant.

The present invention further provides a method of delivering theplurality of elements and the fluent material into the vertebral body toform the implant using a system comprising the delivery cannula and thepush rod. The method comprises the steps of disposing the elements inthe delivery passage of the delivery cannula in a linear array to definethe void space between the elements and disposing the fluent materialwithin at least a portion of the void space in the delivery passage. Themethod further includes the steps of inserting the push rod in thedelivery passage of the delivery cannula and moving the push rod alongthe delivery passage to apply the force to the first of the elements.The force is transferred through the first element to the second elementdisposed in the delivery passage to move the elements through thedelivery passage and into the interior of the vertebral body.Additionally, the method includes the step of simultaneously carryingthe fluent material with the elements as the elements move through thedelivery passage and into the interior of the vertebral body uponapplication of the force. The fluent material then sets to the hardenedcondition to secure the elements and form the implant.

The present invention further provides a method of loading the pluralityof elements and the fluent material into the delivery passage of thedelivery cannula using a fill system having a container defining aloading chamber. A mover is provided for inserting into the loadingchamber. The method comprises the steps of disposing the elements andthe fluent material in the loading chamber of the container, insertingthe mover in the loading chamber, and coupling the container to thedelivery cannula. The elements and the fluent material are transferredfrom the loading chamber into the delivery passage of the deliverycannula such that the elements and fluent material are loaded into thedelivery cannula with void spaces defined between adjacent elements andwith the fluent material at least partially filling the void spaces inthe delivery passage.

The invention further provides a method of loading the plurality ofelements and the fluent material into the delivery passage of thedelivery cannula using the fill system. The method comprises the stepsof disposing the elements in the delivery cannula in a staggeredarrangement. The container is coupled to the delivery cannula. Thefluent material is then transferred from the loading chamber into thedelivery passage of the delivery cannula such that the fluent materialis loaded into the delivery cannula and at least partially fills thevoid spaces defined between the adjacent elements by moving through gapsdefined between the elements and the delivery cannula.

The present invention also provides a method of loading the fluentmaterial in void spaces defined between the plurality of elements in thedelivery cannula while simultaneously delivering the elements and thefluent material to the interior of the vertebral body. The methodcomprises the steps of disposing the elements in the delivery passagedefined by the delivery cannula in the linear array to define the voidspaces between the elements in the delivery passage, inserting a pushrod in the delivery passage of the delivery cannula, and moving the pushrod along the delivery passage to apply the force to the elements.Application of force moves the elements through the delivery passage andinto the interior of the vertebral body. The fluent material isintroduced within at least a portion of the void spaces as the elementsmove through the delivery passage and before the elements exit thedelivery cannula and enter the interior of the vertebral body.

By delivering the elements under the force of the push rod, the fluentmaterial is transported by the elements and enters into the interior ofthe vertebral body under a low pressure. This low pressure delivery ofthe fluent material prevents extravasations which can result fromdelivering the fluent material under a high pressure. Additionally,amounts of the elements and the fluent material delivered can be highlycontrolled to ensure adequate stabilization of the bony structure ofcancellous bone present within the vertebral body thereby preventingmotion of the implant within the vertebral body. The system alsoprovides the user with flexibility in that the elements and the fluentmaterial can be loaded into the delivery cannula and delivered to theinterior of the vertebral body using a variety of loading and deliverysystems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a system for performingvertebral augmentation with an access cannula and a delivery cannulainserted in an interior of a vertebral body;

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the delivery cannulaand elements surrounded by a fluent material;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the elements and the fluentmaterial loaded in the delivery cannula;

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the delivery cannula,elements, and fluent material of FIG. 3 and the access cannula;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the access cannula, the deliverycannula, and a push rod;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the system showing the access cannula insertedwithin the vertebral body and the delivery cannula partially insertedwithin the access cannula and the push rod inserted within the deliverycannula;

FIGS. 7A-7F are cross-sectional views of the alternative deliverycannulae;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional perspective view of another alternativedelivery cannulae;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional end view of the delivery cannula of FIG.8A;

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional side view of the delivery cannula of FIG.8A;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional end view of an alternative delivery cannula;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view of another alternative deliverycannula;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of yet another alternativedelivery cannulae;

FIGS. 12A-12I are cross-sectional perspective views of delivery cannulaeillustrating alternative configurations for the elements;

FIG. 13 is an alternative shape for the element illustrating awhiffle-ball shape defining holes for receiving the fluent material;

FIG. 14 is yet another alternative shape for the elements illustrating asphere defining holes for receiving the fluent material;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional end view of a pusher disposed inside of thedelivery cannula;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the push rod having the pusher attached;

FIG. 17 is a end view of an alternative push rod having a cross shape;

FIG. 18 is a side view of an alternative push rod having a sphericaldistal end;

FIG. 19 is a another side view of the alternative push rod having asquare distal end;

FIG. 20 is a perspective side view of a delivery mechanism having thepush rod installed for driving into an attached delivery cannula;

FIG. 21 is a another embodiment for filling the delivery passage of thedelivery cannula with the elements and the fluent material;

FIG. 22 is a kit for the system;

FIG. 23 is an alternative kit for the system;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are cross-sectional side views of a 2-stage system forfilling the delivery cannula with elements and the fluent material;

FIG. 24C is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 24C-24C of FIG.24A;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view of a parallel system for loadingthe fluent material to the elements as the elements are moved along thedelivery passage of the delivery cannula;

FIGS. 26A-26C are cross-sectional top views of the vertebral bodyillustrating the delivery of the elements and the fluent material to theinterior at different volumetric ratios; and

FIGS. 27A-27E are cross-sectional side views of the access cannula anddelivery cannula of the system exposing the push rod, elements, andfluent material and illustrating the delivery of different volumetricratios of the elements to the fluent material based on a minimumdimension of the push rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. Overview

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, a system for forming an implant M tostabilize a vertebral body 12 having an interior of cancellous bone 14is shown generally at 10. The system 10 may be used to treat vertebralcompression fractures, for repair of intervertebral discs, as aninterbody fusion device, as well as for treating other compressionfractures including, but not limited to, tibia plateau fractures,Colles' fractures, crush fractures, or distal tibia fractures. Forexample, when the vertebral body 12 experiences a compression fracture,the system 10 is used to form an implant M in the interior of cancellousbone 14 of the vertebral body 12 and stabilize the vertebral body 12.The system 10 may also be used for restoring an orbit floor or forelevating soft tissue in cosmetic applications. The system 10 may beused to distract tissue, fill a cavity in tissue (existing or created),reinforce tissue, compress tissue (e.g., cancellous bone), or create acavity in tissue. Moreover, the system 10 will form the implant M at alow pressure to prevent extravasations of the implant M from thevertebral body 12 thereby preventing the implant M from entering anyother part of the body, such as vascular tissue.

II. System Components

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-6, the system 10 includes an accesscannula 16, a delivery cannula 18, a plurality of elements 20, a fluentmaterial 22, and a push rod 24. The access cannula 16 is for accessingthe interior of the vertebral body 12 and the delivery cannula 18 issized for insertion in the access cannula 16. The elements 20 and thefluent material 22 are disposed within the delivery cannula 18 where thepush rod 24 applies a force on the plurality of elements 20 in thedelivery cannula 18 to deliver the elements 20 and the fluent material22 from the delivery cannula 18 to the interior of the vertebral body12. Additionally, to facilitate delivery of the elements 20 and thefluent material 22, the system 10 may also include a delivery mechanism26.

A. Access Cannula

Referring specifically to FIGS. 4-6, the access cannula 16 defines anaccess passage 29 which is cylindrical for accessing the interior of thevertebral body 12. The delivery cannula 18 is sized for insertion in theaccess passage 29 of the access cannula 16. The access cannula 16 ispreferably formed of a biocompatible material and may be fixed to anaccess handle 28. The biocompatible material used to form the accesscannula 16 may be any biocompatible metal or other material. The accesscannula 16 is configured to percutaneously enter a target site X withoutcreating major trauma around the target site X. The access cannula 16 isfurther configured to accommodate any size, shape, or type of deliverycannula 18, described below. The access handle 28 preferably includes aluer-lock connector 30 for connecting to various instruments for drawingmaterials from the target site X, delivering materials into the targetsite X, and the like.

The access handle 28, access cannula 16, or portions of the accesscannula 16 may be formed of a radiolucent material for use in afluoroscopic field. Methods for inserting the access cannula 16 into thetissue to access a target site X are well known in the art and will notbe described in detail. For instance, the access cannula 16 may beplaced in the vertebral body 12 using a solid stylet (not shown) sizedto match the access passage 29. The access cannula 16 may have athreaded distal end (not shown) to secure the access cannula 16 to thetissue, e.g., bone. The access cannula 16 may include markings 32 (seeFIG. 5) to approximately determine the depth the access cannula 16 isinserted when inserting the access cannula 16 into the patient to accessthe target site X. It should be appreciated, however, that the accesscannula 16 is not required as the delivery cannula 18 can be used todirectly access the interior of the vertebral body 12.

B. Delivery Cannula

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-6, the delivery cannula 18 defines adelivery passage 34, extending along a delivery axis 36 (see FIG. 2),for providing access to the interior of the vertebral body 12. Thedelivery passage 34 further defines an exit port 38, open to thedelivery passage 34, for allowing the elements 20 and the fluentmaterial 22 to exit the delivery cannula 18 and enter the interior ofthe vertebral body 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The delivery passage 34has an inner diameter ID for accommodating the push rod 24, which ismovably disposed within the delivery passage 34 of the delivery cannula18.

The delivery cannula 18 is preferably formed of a biocompatible materialand is fixed to a delivery handle 40. The biocompatible material used toform the delivery cannula 18 may be any biocompatible metal or othermaterial. The delivery cannula 18 is configured to accommodate any sizeor shape of the elements 20 being used. In the case of using sphericalelements 20, the delivery cannula 18 is preferably in the shape of acylindrical tube. Of course, any shape may be used for the deliverycannula 18. The delivery handle 40 preferably includes a luer-lockconnector 30 for connecting to various instruments for filling thedelivery cannula 18 with the fluent material 22, drawing the fluentmaterial 22 from the delivery cannula 18 or target site X, deliveringthe fluent material 22 into the target site X, and the like.

The delivery handle 40, delivery cannula 18, or portions of the deliverycannula 18 may be formed of a radiolucent material for use in afluoroscopic field. For instance, in one embodiment, a distal end 42 ofthe delivery cannula 18 may be radiopaque for determining a position ofthe distal end 42, while the remaining portion of the delivery cannula18 is radiolucent to enable viewing of the elements 20 in the deliverycannula 18 during use. The delivery cannula 18 is configured, e.g.,sized, for sliding within the access cannula 16. This allows thedelivery cannula 18 to be inserted into the access cannula 16 to accessthe target site X. The delivery cannula 18 may also include markings 32for determining the depth of insertion of the delivery cannula 18 in theaccess cannula 16.

Alternative delivery cannulae 18, defining angled delivery openings, areshown in FIGS. 7A-7F. The angled delivery openings facilitate radialand/or axial delivery of the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 to atarget site X in the interior of the vertebral body 12. With theseangled delivery openings, reaction forces between the delivery cannula18 and the interior of the vertebral body 12 vary and may require lessuser applied axial force to position the delivery cannula 18 whileejecting the elements 20 from the delivery cannula 18 into the targetsite X. This allows the user to better control the location of thedelivery cannula 18 while delivering the elements 20 from the deliverycannula 18. Thus, the delivery cannula 18 is less likely to be pushedback out of the target site X, which may happen when the delivery axis36 extends axially along the central axis 50 of the delivery cannula 18.These delivery cannulae 18 can also be rotated during delivery of theelements 20 to steer or direct the delivery of the elements 20 and thefluent material 22 as desired by the user. When using these angleddelivery openings, it is understood that the distal end 42 of thedelivery cannula 18 will extend generally beyond a distal end 43 of theaccess cannula 16 inside the vertebral body 12.

In these embodiments, the exit port 38 opens at a delivery angle 46 ofless than 180 degrees to the delivery axis 36 for allowing the elements20 and the fluent material 22 to exit the delivery cannula 18 at thedelivery angle 46 relative to the delivery passage 34. In oneembodiment, the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 exits the exitport 38 of the delivery cannula 18 perpendicular to the delivery passage34. In this embodiment, the delivery angle 46 is about 90 degrees to thedelivery axis 36. In other embodiments, the delivery angle 46 may rangefrom about 10 degrees to less than 90 degrees. More preferably, thedelivery angle 46 ranges from about 25 degrees to about 65 degrees.

In FIG. 7A, the exit port 38 defines a notch 48 formed in a roundeddistal end 42 of the delivery cannula 18 to facilitate delivery of theelements 20 to the target site X in a direction comprising radial and/oraxial vectors. In FIG. 7B, one side of the distal end 42 of the deliverycannula 18 is angled inwardly relative to a central axis 50 of thedelivery cannula 18 to deflect the elements 20 toward the target site Xin a direction comprising radial and/or axial vectors. In FIG. 7C, thedistal end 42 of the delivery cannula 18 is beveled such that the exitport 38 facilitates delivery of the elements 20 in a directioncomprising radial and/or axial vectors. In FIG. 7D, the delivery cannula18 has a sharpened, beveled, distal end 42 to penetrate into the tissueat the target site X with a radially oriented exit port 38. The interiorsurface of the delivery cannula 18 at the distal end 42 is oriented atan acute angle relative to the central axis 50 of the delivery cannula18 to deflect the elements 20 out through the exit port 38 as they areforced down the delivery cannula 18 by the push rod 24. In thisinstance, the delivery cannula 18 may be inserted into the target site Xwith or without the use of the access cannula 16 to deliver the elements20 into the target site X in a direction comprising radial and/or axialvectors. In FIG. 7E, two openings are provided to deflect the elements20 in opposite directions to the target site X comprising radial and/oraxial vectors.

Alternatively, the delivery cannula 18 may have a sharpened distal end42 forming a tip 52 for penetrating the tissue at the target site X witha radially oriented exit port 38. As with the embodiment shown in FIG.7F, the delivery cannula 18 may be inserted into the target site X withor without the use of the access cannula 16 to deliver the elements 20into the target site X.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, 9, and 10, further embodiments of the deliverycannula 18 are shown. In these embodiments, the delivery cannula 18 hasinternal guide ribs 61 for spacing the elements 20 from a delivery wall62 of the delivery cannula 18. This allows the elements 20 to be held ina linear array, centered on the delivery axis 50. This allows the fluentmaterial 22 to back flow around the elements 20 within the deliverypassage 34. The delivery wall 62 surrounds the delivery passage 34 anddefines at least one groove 65 open to the delivery passage 34 forholding the fluent material 22. In this embodiment, the grooves 65 aredefined between the ribs 61 to allow the fluent material 22 to fill thevoid spaces 63 between the elements 20 for simultaneous delivery to thetarget site X. The ribs 61 may be any shape or size with multiplevariations to control the alignment of the elements 20 and a volume offluent material 22 available for delivery to the target site X. The ribs61 are either part of the delivery wall 62 and define the grooves 65therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C and 9 or the ribs 61 may be adeformed part of the delivery wall 62, as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 illustrates another alternative delivery cannula 18 of thesystem 10. The delivery cannula 18 of this alternative embodimentincludes an outer sleeve 54 and inner sleeve 56 with an annular space 58defined therebetween. The elements 20 are loaded into a central lumen 60defined within the inner sleeve 56, while the fluent material 22 isloaded into the annular space 58 defined between the outer and innersleeves 54, 56. The inner sleeve 56 is perforated or slotted to allowthe fluent material 22 to fill the void spaces 63 between the elements20 for simultaneous delivery.

C. Elements

The elements 20 preferably have a generally spherical shape and aredisposed adjacent to one another in the delivery passage 34 of thedelivery cannula 18. The elements 20 are disposed in the deliverypassage 34 in a linear array and include at least three elements 20 andat least two void spaces 63 defined between adjacent elements 20 (seeFIG. 3). The elements 20 may have an outer diameter OD (see FIG. 8C)substantially equal to the inner diameter ID of the delivery passage 34.However, it should be appreciated that the outer diameter OD of theelements 20 is not limited to being substantially equal to the innerdiameter ID of the delivery passage 34 as any outer diameter of theelements 20 may be used to obtain the performance desired by the implantM. The elements 20 may be interconnected by a connecting member 64,which may be flexible. If the elements 20 are interconnected, theconnecting member 64 may require severing if the desired volume of theelements 20 and the fluent material 22 has been attained within theinterior of the vertebral body 12. To accomplish the severing, thedistal end 43 of the access cannula 16 includes a cutter 61 for cuttingthe connecting member 64 as the access cannula 16 is moved relative tothe delivery cannula 18. This means that the access cannula 16 is moveddeeper within the interior of the vertebral body 12 to sever theconnecting member 64.

The elements 20 used with the system 10 may be rigid, semi-rigid, ordeformable. The elements 20 can be formed into any shape (pellets,beads, oval-shaped, cylinder-shaped, faceted elements, box-shaped,dumb-bell shaped, nestled shapes, which disconnect upon entering thetarget site X, coils, etc.). In addition to the spherical elements 20,FIGS. 12A-12I, 13, and 14 illustrate various elements 20 for use withthe system 10 of the present invention to form the implant M. Othershapes may include rice shaped elements 20A (FIG. 12A),cylindrically-shaped elements 20B (FIG. 12B), box-shaped elements 20C(FIG. 12C), dumb-bell shaped elements 20D (FIG. 12D), interlockingelements 20E (FIG. 12E), springs 20F (FIG. 12F), interconnectedspherical elements 20G (FIG. 12G), cross-shaped elements 20H (FIG. 12H),indented spherical elements 201 (FIG. 12I), whiffle-ball shaped elements20J (FIG. 13), or semi-hollow spherical elements 20K (FIG. 14).

The number of the elements 20 needed to form the implant M may varydepending on the procedure and the patient. Any combination of element20 sizes and shapes may be used in the implant M to vary packingcharacteristics of the elements 20 in the target site X. The elements 20may also be selected to optimize packing to secure the implant M in thetarget site X. The size of the elements 20 may be selected to optimizedelivery to the target site X and use of the system 10. The elements 20may also be customized for anatomical considerations, i.e., smaller thancancellous bone 14 pores to build on existing strength in the bone,larger than the cancellous bone 14 pores to displace or compress thebone, sized to plug typical fractures, sized to prevent leaking intovascular tissue, and the like.

The elements 20 may be formed of metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers,bone derived material, or combinations of these materials. Metals thatmay be used in the elements 20 include, but are not limited to,biocompatible metals and alloys, ferrous or non-ferrous metals, such asstainless steels, gold, silver, tantalum, titanium, platinum, and otheralloys, combinations, or equivalents thereof. Polymers that may be usedin the elements 20 include, but are not limited to, elastomers,polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK),polymethymethacrylate (PMMA), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene(HDPE, UHMWPE, etc.), polystyrene (PS), polyesters (PET), polyamides(Nylons, aromatic polyamides), polypropylene, fluorocarbon polymers(PTFE, PTFCE, PVF, FEP), and other biocompatible materials.

The elements 20 may be formed of bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbablematerial. The elements 20 may also include radiopaque materials toenhance visualization. The elements 20 may also be coated withradiopaque materials. Alternatively, the elements 20 may be formed ofradiolucent materials or a combination of radiopaque and radiolucentmaterials. Additionally, the elements 20 may be coated to providetherapeutic properties. Coatings may include a therapeutic or medicinalmaterial, such as an antibiotic, anticoagulants, biologic agents,radioactive agents (local cancer treatment), bone-growth promotingagents, or combinations thereof. In embodiments employing the connectingmember 64, the connecting member 64 may be a wire, string, fiber, orother suitable connector. In other embodiments, loose elements 20 areused, with the elements 20 only being connected together by the fluentmaterial 22 mixed with the elements 20.

D. Fluent Material

The fluent material 22 is preferably capable of setting to a hardenedcondition and is disposed within at least a portion of the void spaces63 defined between adjacent elements 20 in the delivery passage 34. Thefluent material 22 may be a slurry, liquid, paste, or gel that maysolidify during or after delivery. In one embodiment, the fluentmaterial 22 is bone cement, e.g., PMMA bone cement, synthetic bone graftcements, or combinations or substitutions thereof, that solidifies afterdelivery. The fluent material 22 may also include therapeutic materials,e.g., bone morphogenic proteins, cells or gene therapies, bone growthfactors, radioactive agents for local cancer treatment, or combinationsor substitutions thereof. In addition, the fluent material 22 may havean affinity to attach to the elements 20, which helps keep the elements20 associated with one another throughout delivery to form the implantM. The elements 20 may be hollow and/or have perforations and/orpassages for the fluent material 22 (see e.g., FIGS. 13 and 14). Theelements 20 may have modified surface characteristics, e.g., porous, tobetter adhere the fluent material 22 to the elements 20 during delivery,to facilitate tissue in-growth, or to reduce overall element 20 weight.

E. Push Rod

Referring to FIGS. 5, 15, and 16, the push rod 24 extends to a distalend 66 and has a minimum dimension T. The push rod 24 is shaped andsized for insertion into the delivery cannula 18. In one embodiment, thepush rod 24 is a solid metal rod wherein the minimum dimension Tcorresponds to a diameter that is slightly smaller than the innerdiameter ID of the delivery cannula 18 to provide relatively smalltolerances between the push rod 24 and the delivery cannula 18. In otherembodiments, the push rod 24 and the delivery cannula 18 may define anannular space 58 therebetween for allowing the fluent material 22 toback flow through the annular space 58 as the push rod 24 is moved alongthe delivery passage 34 of the delivery cannula 18. In this embodiment,the minimum dimension T of the push rod 24, e.g., outer diameter, isless than the inner diameter ID of the delivery cannula 18. As the pushrod 24 is moved along the delivery passage 34, this allows the fluentmaterial 22 to backflow around of the elements 20 and into the deliverycannula 18. This further reduces the pressure of the fluent material 22within the delivery cannula 18. A head 78 (see FIG. 1) can be fixed tothe push rod 24 to facilitate gripping and placement of the push rod 24into the delivery cannula 18.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 15 and 16, the push rod 24 may include apusher 68 fixed to the distal end 66. The pusher 68 is movably disposedwithin the delivery passage 34 and has a maximum dimension S forapplying the force to the first element 74. The maximum dimension S ofthe pusher 68 is substantially equal to the inner diameter ID of thedelivery passage 34. The pusher 68 and the delivery cannula 18 maydefine at least one gap 72 therebetween for allowing the fluent material22 to backflow through the gap 72 as the pusher 68 is moved along thedelivery passage 34 of the delivery cannula 18. The pusher 68 may alsodefine a hole 70 for allowing the fluent material 22 to back flowthrough the hole 70 as the pusher 68 is moved along the delivery passage34 of the delivery cannula 18. However, it should be appreciated thatthe invention is not limited to using a pusher 68 as the push rod 24 maybe used without the pusher 68.

When the push rod 24 moves along the delivery passage 34, the push rod24 applies a force to a first element 74, disposed adjacent the push rod24, and transfers the force through the first element 74 to a secondelement 76, disposed adjacent the first element 74, and so on down thelinear array of elements 20 to move the elements 20 through the deliverypassage 34 and into the interior of the vertebral body 12. The elements20 simultaneously carry the fluent material 22 therewith through thedelivery passage 34 and into the interior of the vertebral body 12 uponapplication of the force to the first element 74. As a result, theelements 20 may compress the cancellous bone 14 within the vertebralbody 12 and create interstitial gaps between the elements 20 inside thevertebral body 12. New interstitial gaps can be created between theelements 20 inside the vertebral body 12. These interstitial gaps in thevertebral body 12 correspond somewhat in volume to the previous voidspaces 63 present between the elements 20 in the delivery cannula 18.Alternatively, the vertebral body 12 already defines the pre-existingcavity and the cancellous bone does not require compressing. The fluentmaterial 22 is transported by the elements 20 into these interstitialgaps and sets to the hardened condition to lock the elements 20 to oneanother and form the implant M. As a result, the fluent material 22 isdelivered to the interior of the vertebral body 12 at a low pressurewhich prevents extravasations of the fluent material 22 from thevertebral body 12.

In other embodiments, shown in FIGS. 17-19, the push rod 24 may havealternative cross-sections, e.g., ribs, or a cross shape, to providerigidity or stiffness and a tight clearance with the delivery cannula18, while allowing the backflow of the fluent material 22, e.g., betweenthe ribs and/or allowing the ribs to lie in the grooves 65 in thedelivery cannula 18. The distal end 66 of the push rod 24 may be flat,as shown in FIG. 19, spherical, as shown in FIG. 18, or any other shapethat is capable of providing the force necessary to deliver the elements20 from the delivery cannula 18 into the target site X. This push rod 24has a cross-section which is shaped to work with the delivery cannula 18shown in FIGS. 8A-8C or FIG. 10. A shaped push rod 24 can be formed tofit inside of these delivery cannulae 18 with portions of the push rod24 extending radially beyond the guide ribs 61 and into the grooves 65.As is discussed below, this alternate push rod 24 can be used todispense the implant materials (e.g. elements 20 and fluent material 22)within the guide ribs 61 as well as some or all of the fluent material22 contained in the grooves 65 of these delivery cannulae 18. This shapeof the push rod 24 can provide a way to vary the ratio of the volume ofthe fluent material 22 relative to the volume of the elements 33delivered from the delivery cannula 18.

F. Delivery Mechanism

As an alternative to manually pushing the push rod 24, the system 10 mayinclude the delivery mechanism 26 with a force applying mechanism 84.The force applying mechanism 84 may be any mechanism known to thoseskilled in the art. Suitable mechanisms are shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,431,654 to Nic and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2005/0128867 to Henniges et al., both of which are hereby incorporatedby reference. Otherwise, a manual force, e.g., a hand and/or fingers orsurgical hammer, is used to press the push rod 24 into the deliverycannula 18, as shown in FIG. 6, to deliver the elements 20 and fluentmaterial 22 from the delivery cannula 18 to the target site X.

One embodiment of the delivery mechanism 26 is shown in FIG. 20. Thedelivery mechanism 26 generally includes a housing 80, a connector 82,the force applying mechanism 84, and a trigger 86. A handle 88 isintegrally formed with the housing 80 to maneuver the delivery mechanism26 during use. The connector 82 extends from the housing 80 for engagingthe delivery cannula 18.

The force applying mechanism 84 is supported by the housing 80 forapplying a force to the push rod 24. The force applying mechanism 84includes a gripper plate 90 responsive to movement of a linkage system92 upon actuation of the trigger 86. The gripper plate 90 defines anaperture 96 surrounding the push rod 24. The gripper plate 90frictionally engages the push rod 24 to advance the push rod 24 alongthe delivery cannula 18. The gripper plate 90 is urged forward whileremaining in frictional contact with the push rod 24 by the linkagesystem 92 when the trigger 86 is actuated. The gripper plate 90 therebyadvances the push rod 24 relative to the housing 80 and the deliverycannula 18 to drive the push rod 24 and force the elements 20 and theassociated fluent material 22 from the delivery cannula 18. The trigger86 is pivotally supported by the housing 80 and operatively connected tothe force applying mechanism 84 to advance the force applying mechanism84 upon actuation of the trigger 86.

The linkage system 92 includes a first link 98, which is pivotallymounted to the housing 80 about a pivot axis A adjacent to the gripperplate 90. The first link 98 is adapted to engage the gripper plate 90when the first link 98 pivots about the pivot axis A. A second link 100pivotally interconnects the trigger 86 to the first link 98 via supportpins. The links and the trigger 86 are interconnected to move in unisonupon rotation of the trigger 86 about a second pivot axis B. When thetrigger 86 is pulled, the second link 100 rotates the first link 98about the pivot axis A, which engages the gripper plate 90 and urges thegripper plate 90 forward while the gripper plate 90 remains infrictional engagement with the push rod 24 thereby advancing the pushrod 24. A return spring 102 returns the links and the trigger 86 to aninitial position upon release of the trigger 86. At the same time, afirst spring 104 momentarily disengages the gripper plate 90 from thepush rod 24 to slide the gripper plate 90 back to an initial position toawait the next pull of the trigger 86. The housing 80 pivotally supportsthe first link 98 and the trigger 86 about the pivot axes A and B viasupport pins.

A release pin 105 disengages the gripper plate 90 to allow a user tofreely move the push rod 24 by hand. The release pin 105 is connected toa retainer plate 106 and is adapted to engage the gripper plate 90. Whenthe retainer plate 106 is pushed by the user, the release pin 105engages the gripper plate 90 which forces the gripper plate 90 to tiltback against the bias of the first spring 104 thus releasing the pushrod 24. As should be appreciated, pushing the retainer plate 106 alsopivots the retainer plate 106, releasing its engagement with the pushrod 24. With both the retainer plate 106 and the gripper plate 90released, the push rod 24 is free to move. This allows the user tomanually move the push rod 24 with respect to the housing 80.

The delivery mechanism 26 is adapted to engage the push rod 24 and thedelivery cannula 18 and provides the force of the push rod 24 whileholding the delivery cannula 18 to allow relative movement between thepush rod 24 and the delivery cannula 18. This means that the deliverycannula 18 is mounted to the delivery mechanism 26, by the connector 82,and the push rod 24 is coupled with the force applying mechanism 84.This relative movement between the push rod 24 and the delivery cannula18 moves the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 along the deliverypassage 34 and into the interior of the vertebral body 12.

Referring to FIG. 21, in an alternative system 10 of the presentinvention, the force used to deliver the elements 20 and the fluentmaterial 22 can be replaced by an automatic system comprising areciprocating driver 108 with the push rod 24 used with a modifieddelivery cannula 18. In this embodiment, the elements 20 and the fluentmaterial 22 are stored within hoppers 110 or other suitable containers124 for feeding to metering units that can be set by a controller 112 toadjust the relative amounts of the elements 20 and the fluent material22 dispensed from the hoppers 110 into the delivery cannula 18 fordelivery to the target site X. The reciprocating driver 108 iscontrolled by the controller 112, as set by the user, to customizedelivery of the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 to the targetsite X to form the final implant M. This system 10 may be set to delivera fixed or variable volume of the fluent material 22 based on a fixed orvariable volume of the elements 20 dispensed into the delivery cannula18.

G. Kits

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, various kits 114 may be provided withselected components of the system 10. In one exemplary kit, a sealedtray 116 or other type of package may include the access cannula 16,delivery cannula 18, and push rod 24, with the delivery cannula 18 beingpre-loaded with the elements 20 and sealed with end caps 118, 120.Optionally, the delivery cannula 18 is pre-loaded with the fluentmaterial 22, when the fluent material 22 is of a type that does not setin storage. A stylet (not shown) or other suitable device, used with orwithout a guide wire, may also be provided in the kit 114 forintroducing the access cannula 16 into the target site X. As shown inFIG. 23, a bone cement delivery device may also be provided in the kit114 for filling the delivery cannula 18 with the fluent material 22 inthe void spaces 63 between the elements 20, such as a PCD® PrecisionSystem available from Stryker Instruments of Kalamazoo, Mich. The kit114 may further include a liquid monomer L and powdered copolymer C formixing together to form the fluent material 22 to be loaded into thedelivery cannula 18 prior to use. Each of the kits 114 may be sterilizedusing techniques known to those skilled in the art. The deliverymechanism 26 may or may not be provided with this kit 114 depending onthe particular needs of the user.

III. System Operation

A. Loading the Elements and the Fluent Material into the DeliveryCannula

The delivery cannula 18 may be preloaded with the elements 20 duringshipping to facilitate use. In this instance, the distal end cap 118 isfitted onto the distal end 42 of the delivery cannula 18 and theproximal end cap 120 is luer-locked onto the luer-lock connector 30mounted on the delivery handle 40. These end caps 118, 120 or othercontainment members can be used to hold the elements 20 in the deliverycannula 18 between a proximal end and the distal end 42. The end caps118, 120 may have vents 119 to allow air to pass while filling thefluent material 22 into the delivery cannula 18. The proximal end cap120 may include a seal 121, e.g., wiper, which allows insertion of thepush rod 24 into the proximal end cap 120, while securing the elements20 in the delivery cannula 18. The seal 121 may also retain the fluentmaterial 22 within the delivery cannula if a viscosity of the fluentmaterial 22 is low and/or to manage the pressure of the fluent material22. The distal end cap 118 is removed prior to delivery of the elements20 and fluent material 22 to the target site X.

Loading the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 can be facilitated bythe geometry or configuration of the delivery passage 34 of the deliverycannula 18. As discussed above, the delivery passage 34 of the deliverycannula 18 may define grooves 65 and have ribs 61 for allowing thefluent material 22 to flow around the elements 20. This can providebetter coverage of the elements 20 and/or improve the filling of thedelivery cannula 18 with the fluent material 22.

Referring to FIGS. 24A and 24C, loading the elements 20 and the fluentmaterial 22 can also be facilitated by placing the elements 20 in astaggered configuration in the delivery passage 34 such that gaps G aredefined between the elements 20 and the delivery cannula 18, as shown inFIG. 24C. A 2-stage fill system 122 may be used to fill the deliverycannula 18 with the fluent material. The fill system 122 includes acontainer 124, defining a loading chamber 126, and a mover 128 forinserting into the loading chamber 126. In one embodiment, the fillsystem is a conventional syringe with plunger. The fluent material 22 isdisposed in the loading chamber 126 of the container 124. The mover 128is then inserted in the loading chamber 126 and the container 124 iscoupled to the delivery cannula 18. The mover 128 is manually ormechanically pressed to force the fluent material 22 from the loadingchamber 126 into the delivery passage 34 of the delivery cannula 18. Thefluent material 22 flows around the elements 20 in the delivery passage34 to at least partially fill the void spaces 63 by flowing or movingthrough the gaps G and into the void spaces 63. Furthermore, because theelements 20 are staggered within the delivery passage 34, adjacentelements 20 align along a wedge axis 123 with a wedge angle W definedbetween the wedge axis 123 and the central axis 50. After the deliverycannula 18 is loaded with the elements 20 and the fluent material 22, asthe force is applied to the elements 20 by the push rod 24, the force istransferred through the adjacent elements 20 along the respective wedgeaxes 123. This may result in an increase in the overall force which isrequired to move the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 from thedelivery cannula 18 and into the target site X.

Referring to FIG. 24B, as an alternative, the elements 20 and the fluentmaterial 22 are loaded into the delivery cannula 18 using the 2-stagefill system 122 where the elements 20 and fluent material 22 aredisposed in the loading chamber 126 of the container 124. Preferably,the container 124 is sized accommodate the elements 20 and sufficientspacing between and around the elements 20 such that the fluent material22 easily flows through the elements 20 to fill spaces between theelements 20 and to surround the elements 20. The mover 128 is theninserted in the loading chamber 126 and the container 124 is coupled tothe delivery cannula 18. The mover 128 is manually or mechanicallypressed to force the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 from theloading chamber 126 into the delivery passage 34 of the delivery cannula18. As a result, the elements 20 and fluent material 22 are now loadedinto the delivery cannula 18 and define the void spaces 63 betweenadjacent elements 20 with the fluent material 22 at least partiallyfilling the void spaces 63 in the delivery passage 34. This allows theelements 20 to be placed in a tight fitting linear array within thedelivery passage 34 while still allowing the fluent material 22 to besufficiently filled in the void spaces 63 between the elements 20. Byaligning the elements 20 more linearly, the wedging of the elements 20during delivery is reduced. As the wedging angle W increases, morefriction builds between elements 20 and the delivery cannula 18.

Referring to FIG. 25, as another alternative, a parallel system 130simultaneously delivers the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 tothe interior of the vertebral body 12. The elements 20 and the fluentmaterial 22 are preloaded into the delivery cannula 18 in separatedelivery passages 34A, 34B. An alternative push rod 24A is inserted inthe delivery passage 34 of the delivery cannula 18. The push rod 24Aconsists of two interconnected push rod portions 24B, 24C, extending intandem. Each of the push rod portions 24B, 24C applies an equal force onthe respective fluent material 22 and the elements 20. Alternatively,two independent push rods (not shown) may be used. The push rod portion24C is moved along the delivery passage 34B to apply the force to theelements 20 to move the elements 20 through the delivery passage 34 andinto the interior of the vertebral body 12. At the same time, the pushrod portion 24B is moved along the delivery passage 34A to apply theforce to the fluent material 22 to move the fluent material 22 into thedelivery passage 34B and into the void spaces 63 between the elements20. As a result, the fluent material 22 is introduced within at least aportion of the void spaces 63 in the delivery cannula 18 as the elements20 move through the delivery passage 34, but before the elements 20 exitthe delivery cannula 18 and enter the interior of the vertebral body 12.This allows the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 to be loaded intothe parallel system 130 into separate delivery passages 34A, 34B whilestill allowing the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 to bedelivered to the interior of the vertebral body 12 simultaneously.

When working with fluent materials 22 which are relatively viscous, suchas mixed bone cement, it can be difficult to load the fluent material 22into the void spaces 63 between the elements 20 when the gap G definedbetween the elements 20 and the delivery cannula 18 is small. Analternate method of loading the fluent material 22 into the void spaces63 between the elements 20, but prior to delivery into the target site Xis a 3-stage delivery system. A loading cannula with a cross-section asshown in FIGS. 8A-8C or FIG. 10, or a similar cross-section, can beloaded with appropriate sized elements 20, for example, sphericalelements 20 with an outer diameter OD which fits within the innerdiameter ID of the guide ribs 61, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. This loadingcannula can then be connected to a fluent material source, such as asyringe-like device. The syringe can be used to create a pressure on thefluent material 22 so that the fluent material 22 flows down a passagein the loading cannula to exhaust the air from the passage of theloading cannula, filling the void spaces 63 between the elements 20.This loading cannula can then be connected to an empty delivery cannula18. For example, a cylindrical delivery cannula 18 with an innerdiameter ID that fits snugly to the outer diameter OD of the elements. Aloading push rod can be inserted into the loading cannula and used totransfer the elements 20 and a portion of the fluent material 22 (e.g.fluent material 22 residing in the void spaces 63 defined between theelements 20). The transfer can occur through the application of a forceon the first element 74 where that force acts through all subsequentadjacent elements 20 in order to move the mixture into the deliverycannula 18. The loading cannula and loading push rod can then be removedand a push rod 24 can be inserted into the delivery cannula 18 todeliver the implant mixture 20, 22 to the target site X as earlierdescribed.

One advantage in this alternate loading method is when a deliverycannula 18 needs to fit into a smaller access cannula 16 or a smallerdelivery cannula 18 is needed to fit into a limited anatomical bonespace, the delivery cannula 18 described above would not be burdenedwith the additional radial size needed to load the relatively viscousfluent material 22. In other words, a delivery cannula 18 with a smallerdiameter containing a mixture of fluent material 22 and elements 20 canbe made available when needed. Another advantage of this 3-stage loadingmethod is that when the elements 20 are constructed of a material whichneeds a larger surface area to support and align the elements 20 to besuccessfully delivered without lodging or wedging the elements 20 in thedelivery cannula 18, a delivery cannula 18 without ribs 61 can be used.The delivery cannula 18 without ribs 61 would have a larger surface areato support and align the elements 20 as compared to a similarly sizeddelivery cannula 18 with ribs 61. This may allow the elements 20 to bedelivered to the target site X and overcome resistance of the bone ortissue at the target site X, which may require a higher delivery forceto dispense the implant mixture 20, 22.

B. Disposing the Elements and the Fluent Material into the VertebralBody

The elements 20 and the fluent material 22 are disposed in the interiorof the vertebral body 12 by first inserting the access cannula 16 intothe vertebral body 12 to provide access to the interior of the vertebralbody 12. However, as noted above, the access cannula 16 is not requiredas the delivery cannula 18 may provide access to the interior of thevertebral body 12. Several known methods could be used to place theaccess cannula 16 in position. Once such method includes using a stylet(not shown) inserted into the access cannula 16 to penetrate the tissue.Once in position, the stylet is removed from the access cannula 16,leaving the access cannula 16 in place.

Once the access cannula 16 is in place, the delivery cannula 18 isinserted through the access passage 29 in the access cannula 16 and intothe interior of the vertebral body 12, as shown in FIG. 6. If used, thedelivery mechanism 26 is attached to the push rod 24 and the deliverycannula 18, as shown in FIG. 1. The delivery mechanism 26 is attached tothe delivery cannula 18 to hold the delivery cannula 18 relative to thepush rod 24. The push rod 24 will apply the force on the elements 20that are disposed in the delivery passage 34. When the deliverymechanism 26 is attached to the delivery cannula 18, the elements 20and/or the fluent material 22 may already be loaded in the deliverypassage 34 using, for example, the 2-stage fill system 122 discussedabove. This depends on the type of loading system being employed. Thetrigger 86 mechanism of the delivery mechanism 26 is then actuated tomove the push rod 24 along the delivery passage 34 of the deliverycannula 18 to apply the force on the elements 20 disposed in thedelivery passage 34 of the delivery cannula 18.

As the elements 20 are forced from the delivery cannula 18 via the forceapplied by the push rod 24, the elements 20 are forced into the interiorof the vertebral body 12 at a low pressure (discussed in more detailbelow). Additionally, the elements 20 simultaneously carry the fluentmaterial 22 through the delivery passage 34 and into the interior of thevertebral body 12 upon application of the force to the elements 20 bythe push rod 24. As a result, the elements 20 may compress thecancellous bone 14 within the vertebral body 12 and the fluent material22 sets to a hardened condition to lock the elements 20 to one anotherand form the implant M. The fluent material 22 may also interdigitatewith the cancellous bone 14 to further provide strength to the vertebralbody 12.

During the procedure, the user may gauge the volume of the fluentmaterial 22 delivered to the interior of the vertebral body 12 bymeasuring a linear distance the push rod 24 travels along the deliverypassage 34 of the delivery cannula 18. From the linear distance, thevolume of the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 can be calculatedor estimated. This allows the user to better understand the volume ofthe elements 20 and the fluent material 22 already delivered and toestimate the volume of the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 stillto be delivered to the interior of the vertebral body 12. Alternatively,the push rod 24 may include a gauge 132, such as markings along the pushrod 24, indicating the volume of the fluent material 22 and the elements20 delivered or the volume of the fluent material 22 and the elements 20remaining in the delivery passage 34.

The user may perform the procedure using a fluoroscope (not shown). Whenusing the fluoroscope, the elements 20 and/or the fluent material 22 arepreferably radiopaque. This allows the user to gauge not only the volumeof the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 delivered, but also toassess where the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 are entering andfilling the interior of the vertebral body 12.

As an alternative, sensors (not shown) may be used for registeringimplant M, element, and system, parameters. In one embodiment, thesystem 10 includes a sensor or transducer for indicating the forceapplied to the elements 20 and/or the pressure applied to the fluentmaterial 22 during delivery of the elements 20 and the fluent material22 to the target site X. Closed loop feedback mechanisms may also beused to regulate the actions of the system 10, based on detectorreadings. For instance, such sensors may be used with the automaticsystem shown in FIG. 21 to provide closed loop feedback control of thesystem 10 based on force, pressure, or other parameters. Sensors mayalso be used to indicate the construct of the implant M. For example, asensor may indicate the volume of the elements 20 delivered to thetarget site X, the volume of the elements 20 left in the deliverycannula 18, and/or the position of the implant M within the target siteX. In one embodiment, the push rod 24 includes a force gauge (not shown)to detect a force applied by the push rod 24 on the elements 20 and thefluent material 22 being delivered.

The system 10 may also include a display capable of indicating anystatus measured by such sensors. Examples of the information that thedisplay could indicate includes, but is not limited to, force applied,total volume, linear feed rate, volume feed rate, volume of elements 20and/or fluent material 22 inserted, and/or volume of elements 20 and/orfluent material 22 remaining in the delivery cannula 18.

C. Delivery of the Elements and the Fluent Material at Low Pressure

1. Forces and Pressure within the System, Generally

As the elements 20 are delivered to the target site X in the vertebralbody 12, reaction forces transfer through the system 10 back to theuser. The user manually controls and reacts to the reaction forces bydelivering the elements 20 under the force to deform or displace thetissue, e.g., bone, at the target site X, to construct the implant M.The reaction forces are transferred as follows: (1) tissue resistanceforce, (2) elements 20 force, (3) push rod 24 force, and (4) driverforce and/or manual force. The elements 20, when delivered to the targetsite X, define the interstitial gaps between the elements 20 inside thevertebral body 12. The fluent material 22 is transported by the elements20 into these interstitial gaps and preferably sets to the hardenedcondition to lock the elements 20 to one another and form the implant M.Since the void spaces 63 defined between the elements 20 in the deliverycannula 18 correspond somewhat to the interstitial gaps between theelements 20 in the final implant M, pressure of the fluent material 22can be controlled. As a result, the fluent material 22 can be deliveredto the interior of the vertebral body 12 at a low pressure whichprevents extravasations of the fluent material 22 from the vertebralbody 12.

2. Pressure Control

Pressure in the system 10 can be controlled and/or modified by varying avolumetric ratio of the elements 20 to the fluent material 22. Considerthe following three examples.

EXAMPLE 1

If the volume of the fluent material 22 delivered from the deliverycannula 18 is equal to the final volume available for the fluentmaterial 22 in the interstitial gaps provided by the elements 20 in thefinal implant M, then fluent material 22 does not have to be deliveredby displacement (pressure), but is transported or carried solely by theelements 20. Therefore, the fluent material 22 experiences nopressurization in the final implant M. In this instance, the likelihoodof the fluent material 22 leaking outside of the implant M is reduced.This condition is illustrated in FIG. 26A. This is advantageous forpercutaneous treatment of vertebral compression fractures since thelikelihood of fluent material 22 leaking from the vertebral body 12 dueto pressurization in the fluent material 22 would be minimized.

EXAMPLE 2

If the volume of the fluent material 22 delivered from the deliverycannula 18 is greater than the final volume available for the fluentmaterial 22 in the interstitial gaps provided by the elements 20 in thefinal implant M, then at least a portion of the fluent material 22,i.e., the volume of the fluent material 22 equal to the volumedifference, must be delivered by displacement and/or transported by theelements 20. Therefore, the fluent material 22 experiences a positivepressure and it would be expected that this pressure in the fluentmaterial 22 will attempt to move until it finds a state of equilibriumwithin its surroundings at the target site X. As illustrated in FIG.26B, when there is a positive pressure on the fluent material 22 thefluent material 22 moves to an outer boundary or periphery of theimplant M. In some cases, it may be desirable to provide some of thefluent material 22 at the outer boundary of the implant M to bettersecure the implant M in the target site X, to bond with cancellous bone14 outside of the implant M, and the like. Therefore, some pressure inthe fluent material 22 may be advantageous if controlled, such as by thesystem 10 of the present invention. It should be noted that the volumeof the fluent material 22 delivered in excess of the interstitial spacesbetween the elements 20 is a small percent of the total volumedelivered. Therefore, it is expected that the fluent material 22 finds astate of equilibrium by displacing only a small volume of bodily fluidspresent in the vertebral body 12. This reduces the chances ofextravasation.

EXAMPLE 3

If the volume of the fluent material 22 delivered from the deliverycannula 18 is less than the final volume available for the fluentmaterial 22 in the interstitial gaps provided by the elements 20 in thefinal implant M, then the fluent material 22 does not have to bedelivered by displacement, but may be transported solely by the elements20. Therefore, the fluent material 22 experiences a theoretical negativepressure and not all of the interstitial spaces between the elements 20in the target site X are filled with the fluent material 22, asillustrated in FIG. 26C. It may be desirable to provide an implant Mthat is loosely packed in the target site X such that a volume ofinterstitial spaces between the elements 20 is greater than the amountof the fluent material 22 delivered to the target site X. This may beadvantageous to facilitate tissue in-growth in the void spaces.

Examples 1, 2, and 3 may be desirable for different applications. Eachof the examples can be achieved by using the disclosed low pressuredesign principles to select the volume of fluent material 22 deliveredversus the volume of the elements 20 delivered and by analyzing thepacking factors of the geometries of the selected elements 20. Thus, thesystem 10 can be designed to achieve desired delivery pressures of thefluent material 22 in the vertebral body 12.

The volumetric ratio may be modified by varying the outer diameter OD ofthe elements 20, the inner diameter ID of the delivery passage 34 and/orthe minimum dimension T of the push rod 24. Additionally, the volumetricratio may be controlled by controlling the volume of the fluent material22 disposed within the void spaces 63.

Therefore, the system 10 may be customized to change the volumetricratio of the elements 20 to the fluent material 22 delivered to thetarget site X to create the final implant M, as shown in FIGS. 26A-26C.Additionally, the user can control advancement of the elements 20, whilethe fluent material 22 is supplied in a dependent relationship to theadvancement of the elements 20, as illustrated in FIG. 25. Thisrelationship may also be variable, selectable, or independent of element20 advancement to allow user input to control the volume of the fluentmaterial 22 delivered relative to the volume of the elements 20delivered, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIGS. 27A-27E illustrate different methods of varying a volumetric ratioof the elements 20 to the fluent material 22. It should be appreciatedthat the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 are preferably deliveredto the interior of the vertebral body 12 at a volumetric ratio of theelements 20 to the fluent material 22 of from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1.More preferably, the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 aredelivered at a volumetric ratio of about 2:1 to about 5:1. Mostpreferably, the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 are delivered ata volumetric ratio about 2:1. This occurs, for example, when the outerdiameter OD of the elements 20 and the outer diameter of the push rod 24is substantially equal to the inner diameter ID of the delivery cannula18 and the fluent material 22 has a high viscosity, as shown in FIG.27A.

Referring again to FIG. 27A, the elements 20 fit tightly within thedelivery cannula 18. Additionally, the elements 20 are disposed adjacentone another and define the void spaces 63 therebetween. The volumetricratio of 2:1 is achieved because the volume of elements 20 is twice thevolume of the void spaces 63.

Using spherical elements 20 for illustration, the three primaryvariables involved in controlling these ratios include the outerdiameter OD of the elements 20, the minimum dimension T of the push rod24, and the volume of the fluent material 22 disposed in the void spaces63, as discussed above. By varying one or more of these variables, thevolume of the elements 20 delivered to the target site X, relative tothe volume of the fluent material 22 delivered to the target site X, toform the implant M can be controlled. The variables and calculationsused to customize the final implant M geometry will vary depending onthe geometry of the delivery cannula 18, the push rod 24, and theelements 20. The following three examples assume a cylindrical push rod24 and delivery passage 34 and a spherical element 20 where the innerdiameter ID of the delivery cannula 18 and the outer diameter OD of thespherical element 20 are held constant with only the minimum dimension Tof the push rod 24 being varied. Also, these examples are approximationsand assume that a unit length movement of the push rod 24 displaces anequal volume of the mixture of the elements 20 and the fluent material22 that are disposed in the path of the push rod 24. Therefore, thefluent material 22 that is carried by the elements 20 through surfacetension may not be accounted for. For the purposes of these examples,assume the inner diameter ID of the delivery cannula 18 is 0.114 inchesand the outer diameter OD of the spherical elements 20 are 0.083 inches.Thus, in each example, the volume of one element 20 is 2.994 (10E-4) inˆ3. Each of the following examples is calculated on a section that isequal in length to one element diameter. For purposes of illustration,the embodiment of the delivery cannula 18 shown in FIGS. 27B-27Dcorrespond to the delivery cannula 18 shown in FIGS. 8A-8C.

EXAMPLE 4

As illustrated in FIG. 27B, the minimum dimension T of the push rod 24is 0.083 inches, which is equal to the outer diameter OD of thespherical elements 20. Thus, the push rod 24 volume per section is 4.491(10E-4) in ˆ3. The volume of the fluent material 22 delivered persection would be 1.497 (10E-4) in ˆ3 and the ratio of the elements 20 tothe fluent material 22 is 2:1.

EXAMPLE 5

As illustrated in FIG. 27C, the minimum dimension T of the push rod 24is 0.073 inches, which is smaller than the outer diameter OD of thespherical elements 20. Thus, the push rod 24 volume per section is 3.474(10E-4) in ˆ3. The volume of the fluent material 22 delivered persection would be 4.8 (10E-5) in ˆ3 and the ratio of the elements 20 tothe fluent material 22 is 6.25:1. This means that the volume of thefluent material 22 is much less than the volume of the elements 20.

EXAMPLE 6

As illustrated in FIG. 27D, the push rod 24 extends into the grooves 65and has an effective diameter of 0.098 inches (the cross-section of thepush rod 24 is not circular), which is larger than the outer diameter ODof the spherical elements 20. The push rod 24 may be similar to thetypes shown in FIGS. 15-19. Thus, the push rod 24 volume per section is6.261 (10E-4) in ˆ3. The volume of the fluent material 22 delivered persection would be 1.497 (3.267E-4) in ˆ3 and the ratio of the elements 20to the fluent material 22 is 0.91:1. This means that the volume offluent material 22 is almost equal to the volume of the elements 20.

In FIG. 27E, an example showing elements 20 that have an outer diameterOD which is less than one-half of the inner diameter ID of the deliverycannula 18 is shown. This example merely shows that multiple variationsof the minimum dimension T of the push rod 24 and the outer diameter ODof the elements 20, as compared to the inner diameter ID of the deliverycannula 18, may be used to control the volumetric ratio of the elements20 to the fluent material 22.

Referring again to FIGS. 8A-8C, another method of varying the volumetricratio of the elements 20 to the fluent material 22 delivered isillustrated. Ideally, the grooves 65 are provided, as discussed above,to fill the voids spaces between the elements 20 and allow forsimultaneous delivery of the elements 20 and the fluent material 22 andto also allow the fluent material 22 to backflow around the elements 20such that pressurization of the fluent material 22 does not occur due toinsufficient clearance between the spherical elements 20 and thedelivery wall 61. However, it should be appreciated that the grooves 65are not required for low pressure delivery as the geometry of theelements 20 may be selected to allow backflow, e.g., grooves or passageon the elements 20, or lesser amounts of fluent material 22 may bedelivered. Additionally, as discussed above, if the pusher 68 is used,the pusher 68 may define the holes 70 or the gaps 72 between the pusher68 and the delivery wall 61. Another variable to control (based on thepreviously defined variables), is the spacing between the push rod 24and the delivery wall 62 of the delivery cannula 18, noted by “P” onFIGS. 27A-27E. This spacing P, the holes 70, and/or the gaps provide avolume available for the fluent material 22 to backflow into thedelivery cannula 18 during use. As a result, this volume can also beused as storage for excess fluent material 22 to further control whetherthe fluent material 22 is delivered under pressure.

This configuration of internal guide ribs 61 and grooves 65 provides atleast two benefits for this system. One benefit is a larger flow areafor the fluent material 22 to pass in order to fill the void spaces 63between the elements 20. When using a fluent material 22 with arelatively high viscosity, loading the fluent material 22 into the voidspaces 63 can be difficult when the area between the elements 20 and thedelivery wall 62 is small. Another benefit of this configuration is theguide ribs 61 can provide radial support to the elements 20, keeping theelements 20 more axially aligned along the delivery axis 36 in orderreduce a radial component of the force transferred to the delivery walls62. The frictional losses between certain element shapes (e.g. sphericalelements) and the delivery cannula 18 would be reduced with better axialalignment and the likelihood of spherical or similar shaped elements towedge or lodge in the delivery cannula is also reduced.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

1. A system for forming an implant to stabilize a vertebral body havingan interior of cancellous bone, said system comprising: a deliverycannula defining a delivery passage for providing access to the interiorof the vertebral body; a plurality of elements disposed adjacent to oneanother in said delivery passage of said delivery cannula with a voidspace defined between said adjacent elements, said plurality of elementsincluding a first element adjacent to a second element; a fluentmaterial capable of setting to a hardened condition disposed within atleast a portion of said void space in said delivery passage; and a pushrod movably disposed within said delivery passage of said deliverycannula to apply a force to said first element and transfer the forcethrough said first element to said second element to move said elementsthrough said delivery passage and into the interior of the vertebralbody, said elements simultaneously carrying said fluent materialtherewith through said delivery passage and into the interior of thevertebral body upon application of said force to said first elementwhereby said fluent material sets to the hardened condition to securesaid elements and form the implant.
 2. A system as set forth in claim 1wherein said delivery passage has an inner diameter ID and said elementshave an outer diameter OD substantially equal to said inner diameter IDof said delivery passage.
 3. A system as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid delivery cannula includes a delivery wall surrounding said deliverypassage and said delivery wall defines at least one groove open to saiddelivery passage for holding said fluent material.
 4. A system as setforth in claim 1 including a ratio of a volume of said elements in saiddelivery passage to a volume of said fluent material in said deliverypassage of from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1.
 5. A system as set forth inclaim 4 wherein said ratio of said volume of said elements in saiddelivery passage to said volume of said fluent material in said deliverypassage is from about 2:1 to about 5:1.
 6. A system as set forth inclaim 5 wherein said ratio of said volume of said elements in saiddelivery passage to said volume of said fluent material in said deliverypassage is about 2:1.
 7. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of elements are disposed in said delivery passage in a lineararray and include at least three elements and at least two void spaces.8. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said delivery passage ofsaid delivery cannula extends along a delivery axis and said deliverycannula further defines an exit port open to said delivery passage forallowing said elements and said fluent material to exit said deliverycannula and enter the interior of the vertebral body.
 9. A system as setforth in claim 8 wherein said exit port opens at a delivery angle ofless than 180 degrees to said delivery axis for allowing said elementsand said fluent material to exit said delivery cannula at said deliveryangle relative to said delivery passage.
 10. A system as set forth inclaim 9 wherein said delivery angle is about 90 degrees to said deliveryaxis for allowing said elements and said fluent material to exit saiddelivery cannula perpendicular to said delivery passage.
 11. A system asset forth in claim 1 including a connecting member interconnecting saidfirst and second elements.
 12. A system as set forth in claim 11 whereinsaid connecting member is flexible.
 13. A system as set forth in claim11 further including an access cannula defining an access passage foraccessing the interior of the vertebral body wherein said deliverycannula is sized for inserting in said access passage of said accesscannula and said access cannula extends to a distal end and includes acutter disposed on said distal end for cutting said connecting member assaid access cannula is moved relative to said delivery cannula.
 14. Asystem as set forth in claim 1 further including an access cannuladefining an access passage for accessing the interior of the vertebralbody wherein said delivery cannula is sized for insertion in said accesspassage of said access cannula.
 15. A system as set forth in claim 1wherein said push rod extends to a distal end and includes a pusherfixed to said distal end, said pusher being movably disposed within saiddelivery passage and having a maximum dimension S for applying saidforce to said first element.
 16. A system as set forth in claim 15wherein said maximum dimension S of said pusher is substantially equalto said inner diameter ID of said delivery passage.
 17. A system as setforth in claim 15 wherein said pusher and said delivery cannula defineat least one gap therebetween for allowing said fluent material tobackflow through said gap as said pusher is moved along said deliverypassage of said delivery cannula.
 18. A system as set forth in claim 15wherein said pusher defines a hole for allowing said fluent material toback flow through said hole as said pusher is moved along said deliverypassage of said delivery cannula.
 19. A system as set forth in claim 1wherein said push rod has a minimum dimension T and said push rod andsaid delivery cannula define a space therebetween for allowing saidfluent material to back flow through said space as said push rod ismoved along said delivery passage of said delivery cannula.
 20. A systemas set forth in claim 1 further including a delivery mechanism adaptedto engage said push rod and said delivery cannula to provide said forceof said push rod while holding said delivery cannula to allow relativemovement between said push rod and said delivery cannula and move saidelements and said fluent material along said delivery passage and intothe interior of the vertebral body.
 21. A system as set forth in claim20 wherein said delivery mechanism includes: a housing; a connectorextending from said housing for engaging said delivery cannula; a forceapplying mechanism supported by said housing for applying a force tosaid push rod; and a trigger mechanism for actuating said force applyingmechanism.
 22. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluentmaterial is bone cement.
 23. A system as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid plurality of elements are further defined as having a generallyspherical shape.
 24. A method of delivering a plurality of elements anda fluent material capable of setting into a hardened condition into avertebral body having an interior of cancellous bone to form an implantusing a system comprising a delivery cannula and a push rod, said methodcomprising the steps of: disposing the elements in a delivery passage ofthe delivery cannula adjacent to one another to define a void spacebetween the elements; disposing the fluent material within at least aportion of the void space in the delivery passage; inserting the pushrod in the delivery passage of the delivery cannula; moving the push rodalong the delivery passage to apply a force to a first of the elementsand transfer the force through the first element to a second of theelements disposed in the delivery passage to move the elements throughthe delivery passage and into the interior of the vertebral body; andsimultaneously carrying the fluent material with the elements as theelements move through the delivery passage and into the interior of thevertebral body upon application of the force whereby the fluent materialsets to the hardened condition to secure the elements and form theimplant.
 25. A method as set forth in claim 24 further comprising thestep of delivering the elements and the fluent material at a volumetricratio of the elements to the fluent material of from about 0.1:1 toabout 10:1.
 26. A method as set forth in claim 24 further comprising thestep of delivering the elements and the fluent material at a volumetricratio of the elements to the fluent material of from about 0.2:1 toabout 5:1.
 27. A method as set forth in claim 24 further comprising thestep of delivering the elements and the fluent material at a volumetricratio of the elements to the fluent material of about 2:1.
 28. A methodas set forth in claim 24 further comprising the step of delivering theelements and the fluent material from an exit port radially from thedelivery cannula into the interior of the vertebral body.
 29. A methodas set forth in claim 24 further comprising the step of inserting anaccess cannula into the vertebral body to provide access to the interiorof the vertebral body.
 30. A method as set forth in claim 29 furthercomprising the step of inserting the delivery cannula through an accesspassage in the access cannula and into the interior of the vertebralbody.
 31. A method as set forth in claim 30 further comprising the stepof flexibly connecting the elements to one another with a connectingmember.
 32. A method as set forth in claim 31 further comprising thestep of moving the access cannula within the interior of the vertebralbody to sever the connecting member with a cutter disposed on a distalend of the access cannula.
 33. A method as set forth in claim 24 furthercomprising the steps of measuring a linear distance the push rod travelsalong the delivery passage of the delivery cannula and estimating avolume of the elements and the fluent material delivered into theinterior of the vertebral body based on the linear distance the push rodtraveled.
 34. A method as set forth in claim 24 further comprising thestep of attaching a delivery mechanism to the push rod.
 35. A method asset forth in claim 34 further comprising the step of actuating a triggermechanism of the delivery mechanism to move the push rod along thedelivery passage of the delivery cannula.
 36. A method as set forth inclaim 35 further comprising the step of attaching the delivery mechanismto the delivery cannula to hold the delivery cannula while moving thepush rod along the delivery passage relative to the delivery cannula.37. A method of loading a plurality of elements and a fluent materialcapable of setting into a hardened condition into a delivery passage ofa delivery cannula using a fill system having a container defining aloading chamber and a mover for inserting into the loading chamber, saidmethod comprising the steps of: disposing the elements and the fluentmaterial in the loading chamber of the container; inserting the mover inthe loading chamber; coupling the container to the delivery cannula; andmoving the elements and the fluent material from the loading chamberinto the delivery passage of the delivery cannula such that the elementsand fluent material are loaded into the delivery cannula and define voidspaces between adjacent elements with the fluent material at leastpartially filling the void spaces in the delivery passage.
 38. A methodof loading a plurality of elements and a fluent material capable ofsetting to a hardened condition into a delivery passage of a deliverycannula using a fill system having a container defining a loadingchamber, said method comprising the steps of: disposing the elements inthe delivery passage of the delivery cannula in a staggered arrangementwith gaps defined between the elements and the delivery cannula;disposing the fluent material in the loading chamber of the container;coupling the container to the delivery cannula; and transferring thefluent material from the loading chamber into the delivery passage ofthe delivery cannula and at least partially filling void spaces definedbetween adjacent elements with the fluent material by moving the fluentmaterial through the gaps defined between the elements and the deliverycannula and into the void spaces.
 39. A method of loading a fluentmaterial capable of setting to a hardened condition in void spacesdefined between a plurality of elements in a delivery cannula whilesimultaneously delivering the elements and the fluent material to aninterior of a vertebral body, said method comprising the steps of:disposing the elements in a delivery passage defined by the deliverycannula in a linear array to define the void spaces between the elementsin the delivery passage; inserting a push rod in the delivery passage ofthe delivery cannula; moving the push rod along the delivery passage toapply a force to the elements to move the elements through the deliverypassage and into the interior of the vertebral body; and introducing thefluent material within at least a portion of the void spaces as theelements move through the delivery passage and before the elements exitthe delivery cannula and enter the interior of the vertebral body.